Business Can Learn How to Increase Profits by Decreasing Pollution at Sept. 22 EPA Workshop PHILADELPHIA - Companies are discovering that protecting the environment can be good for business.

On Sept. 22, EPA will host "Partners for the Environmental Showcase," which will feature EPA’s 21 voluntary partnership programs designed to reduce pollution in a cost-effective way.

EPA’s Energy Star Program, for example, gives manufacturers a competitive market advantage. Environmentally conscious consumers look for televisions, VCRs and other appliances carrying the Energy Star label because they use up to 70 percent less energy over conventional models.

Another program, EPA’s Project XL, encourages businesses to find cleaner, cheaper ways to protect the environment in exchange for relaxing certain environmental regulations. One West Virginia company recently reduced its emissions and waste by 1.1 million pounds, and saved $620,000 in the bargain.

During the one-day program -- to be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1650 Arch St., Philadelphia -- businesses, trade associations, state and local governments and universities will hear success stories and learn how they can benefit from conserving water and energy, and reducing greenhouse gases, toxic emissions, solid waste, air pollution and pesticide risks.

In 1998, EPA worked with 7,427 businesses that saved themselves a total of $3.3 billion; reduced waste by 7.8 million tons; prevented 80 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions; and saved 1.8 billion gallons of water -- the emissions reductions alone are the equivalent of taking 65 million cars off the road.

During the showcase, four companies in EPA’s mid-Atlantic region will receive the Energy Star Small Business Award for achieving pollution prevention through energy efficiency. The 1999 recipients are: Information Services, York, Pa.; the American Academy of Otolaryngology Foundation, Alexandria, Va.; Penn-Craft Community Association, Fairbank, Pa.; and Weatherbury Farm, Avella, Pa.

For more information or to register, call Jeff Burke at 215-814-2761 or Lorna Rosenburg at 215-814-5389. A copy of the agenda is attached.